may 2006 ~ iyar - sivan 5766

in this issue
-- Gifts of Light
-- News from Dor Hadash
-- eScrip and more...
-- Board News ~ President's Letter
-- Community Announcements
-- Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
-- Jewish Family and Children's Services
-- Donations Make a Difference!
-- Newsletter Guidelines

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

Mazel Tov to James Nagel, member of Ner Shalom, who was the essay winner in the Suzy Rafael essay contest.
The contest was open to all Jewish High School students who live in Sonoma County. These students were required to write their personal thoughts on the ShoaH. The prize was $500.00 and James has decided to donate $50 to Ner Shalom. He was also asked to read his essay at the Holocaust Rememberance Day on April 23 and James and his Grandfather, Isak, a Holocaust survivor, lighted the 7th candle at the event.

The 2/3 grade class at Dor Hadash prayer for peace:
Blessed be you, our G-d and G-d of our fathers and our mothers,
Please let there be no war.
Please stop cutting down the forests.
Let everyone be warmhearted.
Don't let any more animals become extinct.
Let all children of the world have warm beds and enough food to eat.
May we all learn to be generous with each other.
Amen

Our recycling of inkjets, toners and cell phones has come to an end. Thank you to all who donated.

ADMINISTRATOR’S WISH LIST: Volunteers to clean the kitchen, including the refrigerator, kitchen sink and stove top.

RABBI ELISHEVA SALAMO is on sabbatical until September 1st. If you need to speak to a Rabbi with an urgent matter, you may phone Rabbi George Gittleman at Shomrei Torah at 578-5519.

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
LORRAINE & PAUL LICHTMAN, a donation in memory of Helen Blumberg
ARIANA ELSTER, a donation in memory of Benjamin Elster
ROBYN LEVY, a donation in memory of Ann Stern
MARY ANN MALINAK & ARTHUR MAGNUS, a donation in memory of Sam Magnus
JEFFREY & KAREN SOMMERS, a donation in memory of Justin Sommers

OFFERINGS...
An anonymous donation to Dor Hadash

THANK YOU TO...
MARGO NORMAN & GEORGE TRIEST, for sponsoring the April 7th Oneg
ELLYN LAZAR, for coordinating the Passover Seder and to the following Seder volunteers: Amy Neibrief, Lorraine & Paul Lichtman, Archie Lewinstein, Sue & Mark Cohen, Anita Levin, Ariana Elster, Ellen Solot and Robin Birdfeather.

News from Dor Hadash

Dear Chevre,
The last month at Dor Hadash was very special. We borrowed a fabulous exhibit on co-existence from the San Francisco Israel Center and the Jerusalem Museum on the Seam. We had a family event where we studied the 36 posters made by various artists from around the world, talked about the ones that spoke to each of us, and then the students had the opportunity to create their own posters. Many of these posters will be hung in the synagogue, taking the place of the show which must move on to its next venue. I especially enjoyed seeing it up during our wonderful PesaH celebration, and I was so happy that it graced the Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca Cohen. Thank you to everyone who spent time with the co- existence show, and who appreciated its message.

The conflict in Darfur and the potential genocide taking place there has become an issue which the Jewish Community throughout the United States is working to address. Dor Hadash is joining in that effort by donating our tzeddakah money to the AJWS and their humanitarian relief work. We spoke about the importance of not allowing genocide to happen again as we observed Yom HaShoaH during our t'fillah time on Sunday, April 23. Yartzeit candles were placed in the older children's classrooms and in the sanctuary to remind us of our Day of Remembrance.

We will miss Rabbi Elisheva during the rest of this school year, but we wish her a meaningful sabbatical. Gesher Calmenson will be teaching three sessions to our confirmation class beginning April 30. We are always so happy to have Gesher participate with us at Dor Hadash. He brings unique insights and teachings, and we feel very fortunate to learn with him.

Everyone is welcome to visit Dor Hadash on Sunday mornings and join us for our t'fillah service at 10:30 am.

Leslie Gattmann

"The most direct means for attaching ourselves to G-d from this material world is through music and song. Even if you can't sing well, sing. Sing to yourself. Sing in the privacy of your own home. But sing."
Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav

eScrip and more...

Do you need new tires or more for your vehicle? If you do, than check out the participating merchants in the eScrip (two are Big O Tires and Pep Boys) www.eScrip.com and Communitysmart (such as McLea's Tire) www.communitysmart.com programs. All it takes is having work done at one of these merchants and then when you go to pay for it present your Communitysmart card or use your credit/debit card linked with eScrip. Its so easy to make your vehicle safe and provide a donation to your community.

eScrip shoppers please make sure you keep your credit/debit cards up to date. Just go on-line to www.eScrip.com and check out "my escrip" to see what your expiration dates and card numbers are on their records.

Oliver's and about 9 other markets belong to the Communitysmart Card program. Oliver's shoppers please note this major change!! To join this program you can: instantly join by asking for a card at Oliver's checkout counter; call COMMUNITYsmart at 568-4995 or go on-line to www.communitysmart.com. When you check out at one of the participating merchants, you slide your Communitysmart card just like a debit card to get credit for your transaction. This program requires that a certain minimum be spent but then we receive a greater rebate (for Oliver's you need to spend $25 for a rebate of 5%).

Albertson's shoppers can participate by connecting your blue and white Preferred Savers card to Ner Shalom by going to www.Albertsons. com or using a tan and white Community Partners card Michelle can provide you.

Raley's users just need to obtain a Raley's partner's card from Michelle and activate it through their website (Raleys.com). Using the card without activating it for Ner Shalom will leave those rebates in suspense.

Not sure where you stand with all these programs? Give Michelle Marks a call at 778-6346 or e-mail her at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net and let her help you make a difference today.

Board News ~ President's Letter

Dear Members and Friends of Ner Shalom,
As we each leave the Bimah slowly after an Aliyah, I slowly leave those two years in which I have been honored to serve as President of the Ner Shalom Board. While I leave the Presidency, I hope to remain on the Board as support for the new regime.

Our Ner Shalom fiscal year ends June 30. A new Board will be elected at the community meeting in June. There are several spots open on the Board. I encourage our members who have a strong interest in the future direction of our congregation to contact me. We can talk about the requirements, time and energy needed to make our congregation thrive. After all, this is your community. What do you wish would happen? What direction should we go? The possibilities are endless. You can make it happen.

Here’s a bit of what’s going on...

For the second consecutive month, women gathered on the new moon for a Rosh (head) Hodesh (month) celebration of the month of Nissan. Shira Hadditt and Barbara Goodman guided a lovely and thoughtful evening of song, stories, and ritual. The next month’s Rosh Hodesh (Iyar) falls on Saturday, April 29th. We will meet at 7pm for Havdalah and a quiet celebration. The following month of Sivan begins on Sunday, May 28th. We see Rosh Hodesh as an ongoing monthly gathering of women who are interested in reviving ancient women's rituals using Hebrew traditions as a base from which to celebrate. Membership of Ner Shalom not required, nor does one need to be Jewish to participate.

Our Seder this year was orchestrated by Amalya as she leaned to the left pillowed in the arms of her mother, our Rabbi. Once again our Rabbi Elisheva and Elizabeth Basham have created an original Seder. This year’s theme melodies were taken from "Fiddler on the Roof". If I say a good time was had by all, it is true. And the food was so delicious. We are most grateful to Preferred Sonoma Caterers for preparing the entire feast, serving, and cleaning up as well. The special baked macaroons were manna from heaven. Three afikoman were hidden. One was found by Noble the dog for his pal Alex. The others escaped my vision. We thank the children (and dog) for this most important and fun task.

Big special thanks to Ellen Lazar for coordinating a most wonderful Seder. And thanks to all the other folks who made it happen. Especially the clean up crew.

KQED FM's pundit and wise man, Michael Krasny, is coming to the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts (LBC) on May 13th to speak to us on Jewish humor. This is shaping up to be a grand affair, with elegant dining, live music by the Klezmer Jubilee ensemble and silent auction. Ner Shalom and the Jewish Community Free Clinic are co-sponsoring this fundraiser. Reservations and ticket purchases can be made by made by phoning 792-1937 ext.3. We need your support for this event: the funds are needed to balance our books. You know, we have no endowment and our small community does not raise enough from dues to cover our many expenses. So give yourself a triple treat: challenging entertainment, fine dining with music, and an opportunity to make a mitzvot for your synagogue.

L’chaim, Ariana

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD

President - Ariana Elster 824-5609
e-mail: aelster@comcast.net

Vice President - Your name here

Secretary - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com

Treasurer - Claire MacElroy 878-2572
e-mail: macelroy_home@sbcglobal.net

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Education - Liz Hagen 829-3031
e-mail: lizhagen@earthlink.net

Finance - Claire MacElroy 878-2572
e-mail: macelroy_home@sbcglobal.net

Religious Practices - Ari Kimiti Wang'oo 239- 9615
e-mail: kimitiwangoo@yahoo.com

Building Maintenance - Mark Cohen 792- 4368
e-mail: mcsax420@netscape.net

No-Cost Fundraising - Michelle Marks 778- 6346
e-mail: steven.marks@prodigy.net

Personnel - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com

Membership - Sally Churgel 823-0541
e-mail: churgel@pacbell.net

Newsletter - Pam Pepper 588-8824
e-mail: twinsushilover27@yahoo.com

Publicity - your name here

Website - Anne Woods
e-mail: rainywoods@yahoo.com

Rabbi: Elisheva Sachs Salamo 664-8603

Dor Hadash Education Director: Leslie Gattmann
e-mail: lgatttmann@msn.com

Cantor: Bella Bogart

Office Manager: Carol Vanek 664-8622
e-mail: shalom@sonic.net
Office Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM

Community Announcements

SAY HI TO CHAI BABY!
This exciting new program of the Jewish Community Federation is designed to give a true community welcome to newborn or adopted babies in our community. The birth or adoption of a baby is a pivotal time in a family’s life and a great opportunity to become involved with the Jewish community.
Please visit our website at nershalom.org

Torah of the Body - an Integrated Awareness Workshop
Theme for May: The Body as Sacred Vessel
May 17 ~ 7 -9 PM
Theme for June: Belonging: The Sacred Connection
June 21 ~ 7 -9 PM
This spring, three experiential workshops will explore how the wisdom of the divine, as expressed in our body, can be unlocked through movement processes, expanded perceptual states and hands-on learning. Integrated Awareness® processes teach us how we shape our lives from the inherent language of our body, as well as, from our learned patterns of movement, thought and behavior. This body- centered language can teach us how to be present and congruent - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Where comfortable clothes and be prepared for gentle and slow floor movements.
170 Professional Center Drive, Rohnert Park
Call to register and for directions: 707-217- 7433
$18/per class
Sally Churgel is a certified Integrated Awareness® teacher, offering private sessions and classes in the Bay Area for ten years. Sally brings to her healing observation and listening skills learned from 15 years of facilitation and 10 years of owning a team building company. She has offices in Rohnert Park and San Francisco. Sally is a recent past president of Congregation Ner Shalom in Cotati.

The Bureau of Jewish Education is pleased to announce the fifth annual
Shabbat Weekend for Children with Disabilities and Their Families at Camp Newman in Santa Rosa May 26-28, 2006.
This fun family camp weekend features arts and crafts, swimming, yoga, hiking, singing, Shabbat and Havdallah services, talent show, discussion groups for parents, activities for campers and their siblings and much more. A large and caring staff ensures that individual needs are met. Space is limited, so sign up soon! For more information about this program or the new Yad B'Yad special needs family camp weekend at Camp Tawonga in September 2006, please contact Flora Kupferman at 415-751-6983 ext. 122 or fkupferman@bjesf.org.

Camp Chai Celebrates 25 Years of Building Community
For more information and to enroll your child, please call 707-526-5581 or check out our website at:nershalom.org.

Jewish Reconstructionist Federation West Coast Region website: www.jrf.org/westcoast

Ongoing Toy and Book Drive for Jewish Community Free Clinic
Donations of gently used toys and/or books can be brought to Free Clinic on ongoing basis at 421 E. Cotati Avenue, Suite C, or call 792-1932.

Interested in an Interest-Free Loan?
The Hebrew Free Loan Association provides interest-free loans to Jewish residents in Northern California needing assistance with personal or financial matters. Types of loans include: Student, Emergency, Adoption, Personal, Business, First-time Home Buyer, Life Cycle, Debt Consolidation, Institutional (for Jewish communal agencies and synagogues) and Special Needs (for emotionally and physically challenged people).

Since 1897, the Hebrew Free Loan of San Francisco has provided vital assistance to more than 50,000 families. Each year, we help more than 350 people to reach their goals and pave their way towards financial security and future success.

We offer a helping hand, rather than a handout. Whether we're providing people a way out of their financial distress, or helping them to realize a lifelong dream, our recipients maintain dignity and self- sufficiency as they repay their interest-free loans.

If you, or someone you know, needs financial assistance and would like to apply for an interest- free loan, please contact us by phone (415-546- 9902) or e-mail info@hflasf.org.
Check out our website: www.hflasf.org.

ASK JCI & R
Q: Israel! Israel! Israel! My family would like to plan a trip to Israel, and wonder if there are resources within the Jewish community?

A: Everything you have always wanted to know about Israel, but didn’t know who to ask... now you know! There are many travel options, from missions, group excursions, volunteering, and student visits. As a parting gift, we can send you the Insider’s Guide to the Israel Experience.

If you’re not leaving town and prefer armchair travel:
* We can tell you about great web sites for Israel gems and news
* You can learn Hebrew in Ulpan San Francisco
* Visit Israel in the Gardens, Sunday June 4

Please call so we can point you in the right direction...east...

For more information about connecting to Jewish life, call JCI & R at 415/777-4545 or local toll-free 877- 777-JCIR (5247) or visit our website www.JewishNfo.org
Jewish Community Information and Referral is a service of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma counties.

Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life

Etz Chaim - Tree of Life
Our Tree of Life in the Oneg room began as a way to thank those in our community who worked so hard to establish our permanent home in Cotati.
It will now be used to help Ner Shalom continue to flourish through the celebration of life events. A simcha leaf to honor a special life event and a pomegranate to commemorate the seeds of our community's hard work, our B'nai Mitzvahs, can be obtained through a donation of 10 Chai or $180 To mark your special occasion with a simcha leaf or pomegranate please contact the office.

Jewish Family and Children's Services

See our website www.nershalom.org/news/JFCS for programs and classes listed for April at JFCS in Sonoma County.

All low-cost/ no-cost JFCS and Parents Place programs listed on our website are non-sectarian and open to all members of the public.

Donations Make a Difference!

Donations to Ner Shalom Make A Difference!

*Building Repair Fund
*Dor Hadash School
*Etz Chaim (Tree of Life)
*General Fund
*Music Fund
*Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
*Teen Fund
*Tikkun Olam Fund
*Written Word/Torah Fund

Honor some one; remember an event or a special person. Donations (minimum of $6 [1/3 Chai] per listing) will be listed in the Gifts of Light section of the next newsletter. Send the donation to the office with the appropriate designation or call the office at 664-8622 for more information. Your generous support of Ner Shalom is greatly appreciated.

Memorialize the memory of a loved one with a Yahrzeit Plaque on our Wall of Remembrance. The cost of a plaque and inscription is $200 Please contact the office at 664-8622 for more information.

Newsletter Guidelines

*1. Deadline will be at 2:00p.m. on the first Friday of every month (unless arrangements have been made with the editor of the newsletter.)

*2. All submissions should be sent to the editor via e- mail with the subject heading: NL submission.

*3. Editor will change, edit, or delete any or all portions of submission(s) as deemed necessary without prior approval of the author.

*4. Editor is not responsible for retrieving submissions from other sources. It is the responsibility of the author to submit all necessary components to the editor by the deadline.